Wrench or Ratchet For Oil Change?

[The Critic]

Until recently, I always used my favorite Snap-On FLF80 ratchet for removing and reinstalling the engine oil drain plug. This was because the ratchet is 11" long and it gave me very good leverage (but not too much), so I was able to loosen and tighten drain plugs with great ease.

My father always scolded me for this technique as he claims I overtighten plugs as a result. And no, I am not sure if I really do. Point is, he says real mechanics use wrenches for removing engine oil drain plugs-- not ratchets.

Fine. I observed the senior techs at the local Nissan and GM dealerships. And yes, they do in fact use a wrench to loosen the oil drain plugs, not a ratchet. So I tried using a wrench to tighten the drain plug on the Nissan when I performed the first oil change. I used a 7" long Craftsman 14mm boxed-end wrench to tighten down the plug. It was weird, as I was used to the leverage that a 11" ratchet gave me so I wasn't sure if "tight" with a 7" long wrench was tight enough, but I think it was since I have not seen any oil spots on the garage floor in the last 5 months.

So is it wrong to use a ratchet to tighten the drain plug? What do you guys use to remove the engine oil drain plug? Wrench? Fancy fine tooth Snap-On ratchet? Impact wrench?

Discuss.

 

[Herz]

My father, (a engine builder) always told me to use a combo wrench for drain plugs so that they do not get overtightened.

I use my combo wrenches for drain plugs.

 

[sangyup81]

I use a ratchet but when I tighten, I hold it at the head and not the end so that I don't over-tighten it.

 

[tomcat27]

I dont see a problem removing the plug with a long ratchet - but I would be fearful of overtightening with one

 

[Colt45ws]

I use a ratchet and a torque wrench.

 

[uart]

Has anyone here ever stripped a drain plug (or know of someone who has)?

 

[Colt45ws]

I know of couple, why?

 

[ChrisD46]

Get a Fumoto quick drain valve and never worry about drain plugs again ...

 

[demarpaint]

I use a combo wrench for drain plug removal.

 

[uart]

Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
I know of couple, why?


I was just wondering how hard it is to do.

Sometimes I think I might over-tighten a bit by using a socket wrench, but I've never damaged anything.

 

[casperfun]

I normally thought everybody used a socket wrench. I always go by feel when tightening because you just know when it may be too tight. Who else uses a socket wrench? I thought this was a given. It is so easy I been using it for decades.

 

[Familyguy]

I generally use a wrench, but when space is tight I'll sometimes use a ratchet. After a while you can get a fairly good feel for how much torque you're applying with a ratchet and a wrench.

And no, I've never stripped one (though I've had to deal with already stripped bolts/threads) after probably 1000-ish oil changes. Had one guy tow his car into the shop when I was a kid and the threads from the oil pan were hanging out of the hole like a coil of fine wire.

 

[rclint]

I rarely use a ratchet in place of a wrench for easy attainable bolt heads.. I have busted my knuckles way to many times with a ratchet to begin with ( and yes even those nice, pretty, shiny, expensive snap-on ratchets, but I prefer a pear shaped proto). I use tools as a regular basis at my job, and from what I have learned myself is that a wrench is a much more trustworthy tool than a ratchet in so many aspects.. and that goes across all ties, brands etc.

Now if you really want it all decked out, and I do enjoy these.. but they are expensive purchase a set ( or you could get just a 14 MM) ratchet wrench. The ratchet end is used to speed up the process of tightening/loosening a bolt, nut etc. I really enjoy these, and you will have to decide which you prefer on types as many people like different things, but I prefer the ratchet wrench that has a reversible thumb lever as to those that you must turn the wrench over to reverse for a couple of reasons. First I don't like straight wrenches, and second to build on the first I use the angle of the wrench to my advantage for getting into tight places etc, and again I just don't like straight wrenches. I would never trust the ratchet end of a ratchet wrench for the very same reason I don't trust a ratchet... You should try one of these, if you don't like it your only out a couple bucks maybe $7 or so for a top end 14 MM, I have used many many brands etc, and I like Proto with black chrome finish.

 

[4ever4d]

I normally use a combo wrench,not due to overtorque issue but, i found that a small amount of oil begins to drain before i can fully remove the plug and this oil was seeping into the head of the ratchet and after cleaning and putting tools up this seepage would over time drain out into my tool tray where the ratchet was placed and found myself having to remove everything stored with it and wipe down once again,got tired of that.It's much eaiser to remove residue from a wrench than a ratchet.

 

[The_Jeff]

I use a wrench. I bet "real" mechanics use wrenches for stuff like this to save the 1/2 second of switching sockets.

I'm often tugging at a wierd angle and don't want the inch that sticks out when a socket is sued to give any sideways shear forces. A box wrench goes on and that is that. If it needs help loosening I tap it with my hand or a small hammer.

 

[VWguy]

I have used both and have seen both used. But the box wrench is probably more prevalent in the industry. In fact, I've seen in the monthly flier sent from a large tool warehouse a box wrench with two popular sizes, 15mm and 5/8". I do not own one of these. I personally like to use an offset combination wrench.
A unique technique is as follows. A friend of mine uses a 5/8 socket, very long extension, and ratchet. Reasoning is he doesn't want used oil on his hands. His technique works for him.
A personal observation.On later model Ford Crown Vic's, I've had quite a few drain plugs unthread with a lot of resistance. Upon looking at the drain plug the threads were "folded over." So I think I now have a damaged oil pan which is not fun to change BUT a new drain plug hand screws in and torques to spec. My logic suggests that Ford is using a drain plug that is made of a softer material than the threads in the pan.
If one wants to assure that you are not under/over tightening any particular bolt/nut/fastener just install as you normally would and take a torque wrench and see if it is at the specific torque. Finally, I wonder if manufacturers undercut the female threads a bit in order to prevent a drain plug to unscrew and fall out causing a catastrophe by allowing a drip/leak to warn of a pending disaster if drain was to fall out. Bill

 

[sunfire]

I like the 6pt contact points of my Williams and Craftsman ratchet/sockets. I only have 12pt Craftsman combos which don't feel as tight as the sockets.

 

[Errtt]

I use whatever I happen to grab, well used to. Now the vehicles go in to get the oil change.
On the motorcycle which I still do myself, it's whatever I grab first, so sometimes a wrench and sometime a socket.

 

[JHZR2]

Going "wrist tight" on the plug seems to work fine and I've never overtightened. Actually the ability to overtighten is related to the force applied times the lever arm length. That's standard physics. There is nothing inherent to the ratchet versus wench that for the same length and same force applied one could tighten more than another. Again it is just physics.

I have a torque wrench though, so usually I pull it out and use that - no questions then...

P.S. Ive heard more than once that ratchets should only be used for convenient spinning of the item. A breaker bar should be used to do the initial loosen and a wrench/breaker bar/torque wrench be used for final tightening.

 

[Jimmy9190]

I use a wrench on my oil drain plug. I have never used a socket for removing or tightening an oil drain plug. It's just the way I learned it I guess, but I believe that is the best way to keep from rounding off the bolt head or stripping the threads. I snug the bolt down and give it just a hair of a turn after that.